We live in very harsh unforgiving world. Much of the time we are caught up in the rush of life, so much so that we forget to stop and "smell the coffee". We chase after the those things that we believe will bring us happiness and fulfillment. We forget to be thankful for the little things in life.
The last week brought into focus for many of us, the plight of those who are less fortunate. Newspapers in this beautiful city of ours showed us the horrible underbelly as people were forcibly removed from their homes. I am not in any way qualified to offer opinion as to the rights and wrongs of the actions of either side. Yet the pictures we saw portrayed images of inhumanity and cruelty by those who held power in their hands. Yet while all this was going on, not very far from us, I was able to snuggle into my warm bed and sleep peacefully, the only disturbance been the sound of the rain against my bedroom window. I was able to shut out the harsh reality of the pain and the suffering that children were going through simply because they did not have a place to call home.
So I am thankful for the fact that I woke up the next morning. I was alive. I had not been harmed in any way. I was able to have a hot shower, get dressed, have coffee and go to work. I had everything I needed to go about my life without any fear or discomfort.
Now and then, amidst the activity of a busy day, we would find the time to talk about the plight of others. But that was all it was, just a casual chat. It did not serve to change anything,maybe just to ease our conscience.
In essence what we have, we have by the grace of God. The words of a song by Joan Baez come to mind. "There but for fortune, go you and I". I would re-phrase and say, there but for the Grace of God, go I.
So I am thankful for what a I have.
The simple things of life.
